Apparatus for shaping corsets



(Ho'ModeL) .J. A. HOUSE. APPARATUS FOR SHAPING GORSETS.

Patented Sept. 12, 1882.

N. PETERS Plmloiilhogmphur. Washmnlnn. D.C

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. HOUSE, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING CORSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 26 L392, dated September 12, 1882,

Application filed May 25, 1882.

ers toward each other to stretch and fit the corset to the said form, the said holders as they approach each other being free to move unequally at their ends to permit the corset to adapt itselfto the varying contour of the form.

Figure l is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention, the dotted lines showing the lever-like holders thrown back away from the form; Fig. 2, a view of Fig. 1 from the right; and Fig. 3, a partial sectional detail on the line as as, Fig. 1, there being added to the said figure the edges of a corset to show the manner of holding it while being stretched.

A represents the hollow form, of metal or other suitable material, heated by steam or hot air introduced by a suitable pipe, at, there being in practice a suitable outlet-pipe to maintain circulation of steam or hot air in the form. The holders C D, which engage the edges of the corset and draw and stretch it to the form, are composed of two independent levers or arms having their front edges curved, as shown at the left in Fig. 1, to conform to the shape of the form A, and grooved or recessed, as shown in Fig. 3 at 2, the said grooves or recesses being shaped substantially as shown, in order to receive and retain in their largest portions the small stud, bone, or other rigid strip, 8, usually found at the edge of every corset just outside the usual row of eyelets, while the two plies of the corset between steel Sand the row of eyelets extend through the narrowest portion of the said groove, as designated in Fig. 3. The edge of the corset hav- (No model.)

ing the steel 8 is inserted within the groove 2 at its end, and, once placed in the said groove, cannot bewithdrawn laterally, so the holder retains the corset and is enabled to pull and stretch it about the form. These holders, mounted on the rod 1) and having their rear ends extended, as in Fig. 1, receive between them the fulcrum c, to keep the rear ends of the holders separated while their forward ends are being brought together or toward each other by the straining device composed of a screw, 0, having ball or equivalent bearingsfi whereby the upper and lower ends of the holders may move unequal distances or incline more or less with relation to each other, (see Fig. 2,) to enable them to stretch the corset, which is of unequal length, across its upper and lower ends and fit it snugly to the varying contour and size of the form. The spring 9 on fulcrum 1) acts to separate the lower ends of the holders when the screw is moved to separate the holders, and the said spring keeps the ends 10 of the levers (see Fig. 3) always pressed against the loose fulcrum-pin 0, so that it cannot drop out as the holders are being moved by the straining device.

Inthis instance of my invention the dampened or moistened corset to be stretched, dried, and finished on the form to obviate the usual ironing process is to luwe its steels or busks hooked together, and the eyeleted edges are to be inserted in the grooves 2, as stated. The eyeleted edges of the corset might be laced together before applying the corset to the form and the holders be shaped and adapted, as shown in another application, No. 62,401, filed by me, so as to engage the studs and eyepieces of the corset-steel 'without departing from my invention.

I claim- 1. The form and the holders adapted to engage the'edges of the corset, combined with a straining device applied directly to the holders independently of and separately from the form, to cause the holders to approach each other and draw and fit the corset to the form, substantially as described.

2. The form and the holders and the fulcrum 0, combined with astraining device car- I Intestimony whereofI have signed mynanie IO ried by the holders in rocking bearings, substantially as described.

3. The form, the lever-like holders 0 D, pivoted at b, the fulcrum c, and spring to act against the said holders, combined with a straining device to move the holders toward and from each other to draw the corset about the form, substantially as described.

to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES ALFORD HOUSE.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. DIMoND, HENRY F. GOQDWIN. 

